Leslie Magoon

Leslie Magoon is an Adjunct Professor in the Basin and Petroleum System Modeling Program at Stanford University's Earth & Planetary Sciences Department. A co-originator of this industrial affiliate program in 2005, he has over five decades of expertise in resource assessment and petroleum systems. He holds B.S. (1964) and M.S. (1966) degrees in Biology and Geology from the University of Oregon.

• Education: B.S. Biology (1964), M.S. Geology (1966), University of Oregon

His research focuses on petroleum system modeling, basin analysis, and resource evaluation across Alaska, Colombia, Venezuela, and Canada. He pioneered the Ventura-Santa Barbara Basin source rock study during his 8-year tenure at Shell Oil Company. Since 1981, he has been a leader in advancing petroleum system concepts through AAPG courses, talks, and publications.

Recipient of the AAPG Sidney Powers Memorial Award (2021) and Honorary Member Award (2017), he co-authored AAPG Memoir 60—which revolutionized the field—earning the R. H. Dott Award in 1996. His work remains influential in both academia and industry.